Former county commissioner told to report to prison

Birmingham, AL – Former Jefferson County Commissioner Chris McNairhas been ordered to report to prison as soon as the federalprison system says it has a bed ready for him. A federal judge on Tuesday ordered McNair to begin serving a5-year sentence for his convictions on bribery charges involvingthe county's $3.2 billion sewer construction project. U.S. District Judge Lynwood Smith denied a request to reduceMcnair's sentence to probation. McNair's attorney, Doug Jones, said the only hope for keepingMcNair out of prison is a petition for clemency with the Obamaadministration. McNair is among 21 defendants charged in a criminal probe intothe construction and financing of the Jefferson County sewersystem. Of those sentenced to prison, all but McNair either haveserved or are serving their sentences.